Ames has no shortage of places students can take their parents when they come for a visit. From restaurants to parks, students can easily find something to see or do.

If parents and students want to be outdoors, there are plenty of parks featuring bike and walking paths.

Susan Gwiasda, public information officer of the city of Ames, recommended visiting Ada Hayden Heritage Park located in North Ames off of Grand Avenue.

“It’s a very peaceful, natural setting to take a walk,” Gwiasda said.

Ada Hayden also features a lake that was formerly a quarry where visitors can take out non-motorized boats.

Gwiasda said there are over 50 miles of bike paths in Ames. If students and their parents are interested in biking, an informational map can be picked up at City Hall.

West of Ames and south of Boone is Ledges State Park. Many ISU students take trips to Ledges for hiking, picnicking and enjoying the outdoors. Ledges was one of Iowa’s first state parks and includes trails that lead to a beautiful view of Pea’s Creek Canyon along with picnic areas and campsites.

“They have nice shelters where you can eat food and big open areas where you can hang out,” said Molly Clark, junior in journalism and mass communication.

She also said the park has nice campsites and trails to hike or bike.

For more outdoor fun in Ames, students can take their parents to Reiman Gardens, a university-owned garden that features 14 acres of award-winning landscaping, according to the Reiman Gardens website. Reiman Gardens is also known for a butterfly conservatory that is open year-round.

One of the largest concrete garden gnome in the world will be at the Gardens until Oct. 15. Featured this summer is southern-style garden decor including bottle tree ornaments.

The ISU campus is full of history and a great place to bring parents.

Hiwot Abebe, senior in biology, knows about some of the interesting sites and history of the ISU campus from her former work as a Cyclone aide.

For example, the first electronic computer was built at Iowa State, and is currently kept in the Durham Center.

Abebe also said parents would enjoy walking on Central Campus and knowing some of its history.

“The first president of Iowa State threw potatoes from the steps of Curtiss Hall, and that’s how they decided where the first trees would be planted on Central Campus,” Abebe said.

During the summer, Ames will be hosting several events for the public that students can take their parents to.

Shawne Ungs, communications assistant for the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Iowa Games take place over three weekends: July 9-11, 15-18 and 23-25. The Iowa Games is an annual event that features sports including anything from basketball to horseshoes. The public is welcome to stop by the Iowa Games to watch.

In the Main Street Cultural District, the Octagon Center for the Arts will be hosting an exhibit called “Snapshots from Ames.” Ungs said this collection will have photos taken by residents from all over Iowa that feature Ames as the main subject. This exhibit would be a good way for new students and parents to get to know Ames.

Ungs also said that over the summer there is no shortage of live music.

At Bandshell Park, located just east of Main Street, there will be a live band performing between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on select nights.

“One thing you’ll find in Ames is that there’s a lot of live music over the summer,” Ungs said.

There are also plenty of restaurants students can take their parents to. Located just south of campus, the Campustown district features restaurants that are popular with students. For Thai food, Thai Kitchen, 2410 Chamberlain St., is popular with students. Another food favorite is Cafe Beaudelaire, 2504 East Lincoln Way, featuring Brazilian cuisine.

A Campustown tradition, Fighting Burrito, will open a new location on Welch Avenue in July.

For an Ames institution, students can bring their parents to Hickory Park, located at 1404 South Duff. Hickory Park was established in 1970 and became popular with ISU football fans. The menu features barbecue and a large selection of ice cream.

Another Ames favorite, featuring foods purchased from local farms, is The Cafe, 2616 Northridge Parkway.

If parents are willing to spring for an expensive dinner, Aunt Maude’s, 547 Main St., is another Ames tradition.

Also located in the Main Street Cultural District are Great Plains Sauce and Dough Co., 129 Main St., Olde Maine, 316 Main St., and Lucullan’s Italian Grill, 400 Main St. All these options have been around in Ames for years.

Clark said she and her mother like to stop at Cooks Emporium, 313 Main St., for chef’s supplies and The Pumpkin Patch, 302 Main St., which is a “really cute” toy shop.

For used books, parents and students can visit Firehouse Books, 405 Kellogg Ave., which Clark said her dad always likes to visit.

There is no shortage of activities for students and parents in Ames. For more information about places to go and upcoming events, go to visitames.com.